It’s almost Halloween season, meaning kids and adults are once more faced with the decision of what to wear. Between budgeting, narrowing down options, and trying to piece something together quickly, the task of finding the perfect Halloween costume can get pretty overwhelming. 

This year, people could skip all the stress and get their costumes and accessories at an annual Halloween costume swap. 

Hosted on Saturday by the Gleason Family YMCA, the costume swap featured clean, lightly used outfits for children and adults of all ages. The goal of the swap was not only to “make Halloween affordable for anybody in the community,” but also reduce waste by reusing costumes rather than sending them to the landfill.

“You can buy costumes at Walmart or online but they are very expensive, and sometimes they are only worn once and then kids just put them back in the closet,” said event coordinator Cathy Longfield. “These costumes are in perfectly good shape, so let’s give them a new life.”

With the help of local families and St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop, Longfield collected more than 50 costumes and accessories, which she priced between 50 cents to 10 dollars. The $300 that she raised through the costume swap last year benefited the Y’s Annual Campaign, which ensures that all community members have access to the gym. 

“One hundred percent of the money that we raise goes towards helping children, families, seniors and young adults who want to be able to swim, work out, and take classes in our gym,” said Longfield.

Buyers loved the idea of saving money while supporting a good cause. 

“Kids grow so fast, I hate to spend so much money for the costume that they are only going to wear once,” said Katie Yeaw.

Grown-ups joined in the fun, too. Seventy-nine-year-old Beverly Lake browsed for a unique outfit to wear at her Halloween and bingo party. 

“I will wear it once, and then next year I will return it and maybe come back and get another one,” said Lake.